All my life I’ve been surrounded by music, my sister, who’s 11 years my senior, played the flute when she was in high school and my Nana played the clarinet when she was in school. I remember saying when I was old enough, I would play the flute just like my big sister but simply left it at that. I remember being in the fourth grade and the teacher asked if anyone wanted to join my school's band, my hand went straight up. Whenever I originally thought about joining my school's band, my mind was only on playing the flute, but as I was reading the sign up sheet I saw the word saxophone and it was the like an epiphany. I felt so sure. This was it! This would be the instrument I play. So I played, my saxophone, and played, and played the saxophone...for six and a half years! I mean, yeah, throughout those years I tried different types of saxophones from baritone to tenor, but my main saxophone is an alto and I’ve been pretty content with it until now. Don’t get me wrong, I love the saxophone, but as I’ve gone through my freshman year of band at El Cerrito High School I look around at all these students who’ve been playing as long as me or maybe even shorter and they’re switching from instrument to instrument and playing different ones in different band, while I’m here and have been playing the same thing since the 4th …show more content…
On a Thursday evening a close friend of mine, Garrett Bush, and I were exchanging questions and answers. Bush had switched from flute to bassoon last year and now plays bassoon as his primary instrument so I thought he’d be a great interviewee. Garrett proceeded to explain the length of time for him to play the instrument along with how often he practiced, “it probably took around 2 weeks to be able to play notes while having them speak clearly enough for the band, but it took months to actually play confidently.” He continued with, “I practiced about 4-5 days a week and I also took
Not only am I in the band, but I am an essential component to the success and well-being of my section. The clarinets never sounded better than when they were under the direction of Section Leader Sarah, whom they all loved and adored. Okay, that's a boldfaced lie. As a dedicated band member, I demand perfection, not only in my own performance, but also in the performance of others. I refuse to accept mediocrity from any section member. In my opinion, there is no excuse for not knowing music, ignoring instructions, or not knowing right from left. Sadly, this quirk of mine doesn't make me terribly popular among t...
Where I learned how to become a leader through the leadership ensemble within the marching band. Where in my senior and fourth year of marching competitively, I became the Drum Major, and earned the Best Drum Major Award at the Roxbury Marching Band Classic Competition. From marching band I progressed into jazz music, where I became the lead alto saxophonist in the top jazz band at my school during my junior and senior year. I was also one of three saxophonists in the top band at my school. I picked up the clarinet, the flute, and the soprano saxophone on my way through high school, and have played all three as well in my performing ensembles. I played in the pit orchestra of the theater production of “All Shook Up”, and was the principal saxophonist at my high school. Too be short, I am very involved in all things music in the past and currently. Band and music have been a place for me to rely on, something that brings me joy when sad. Allows me to express myself through sounds and through instruments. It is truly a talent and a hobby that I hope to continue through college and through life because of the joy it brought me and creative outlet it was throughout my
Music has always been one of things I excelled in. In elementary school it was required to be in music but second in 5th grade you have the option to be in band. I was in band for 6 years before I stopped and I went to 5 honor bands. I played tenor saxophone and was 2nd chair all six years. Jazz band was something we had in middle school and high school. We had 2 jazz bands in middle school. Jazz one was for 8th graders and jazz two was 7th grade. I played in both. My first year I played tenor 1 and 2 and the second year I played baritone saxophone. My 9th grade year I played only tenor one. We didn’t have to audition but the students who plays that instrument normally would have first say in who gets 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd part. That
Mel is in a band with his friends. They have had it since they were little kids. As he grew up his talent unleashed and now he wants to get better. There is an all-city jazz band that he can join. If he joins he will have to leave his friends band. The question is which one will he choose talent or loyalty.
If someone had asked me back in sixth grade what my passion was, marching band would not have ever even crossed my mind. First of all because there is no marching band in sixth grade. Second, when I got into band in sixth grade, I was the worst French horn player in my section. I knew absolutely nothing reading music or playing and although I was still just learning, I always thought I had no chance to get better and that I would quit, but I didn’t. I stayed in the band and my opinions changed my freshman year of high school.
Whenever kids join band, they typically have their mind set on the instrument they want to play, and for me, this was percussion. In sixth grade we had the opportunity to join band, and become part of prestigious and successful group at our school. I dreamt of being the lead percussionist and leading the band by keeping the beat and making sure everyone was always together. I had my heart set on percussion ever since I was little, seeing my uncle play drums, banging his head around wildly, hitting drumsticks so hard they broke, and having so much fun with it; I wanted to have that much fun, too.
The first time I picked up an instrument was at the age of 7 when I was in third grade. You can call it fate, luck, or my destiny but I was one of the three students that was able to join my elementary orchestra. Of course like any kid, I was afraid if had the ability to do such a thing. I mean it’s not every day you’re recruiting into the arts. I kept asking myself “can I do this? Will I fit in this group?” in other words can I be part of the classical music culture? It wasn’t till my first school concert where I had my first solo of “My Heart Will Go On” the love theme from Titanic that I was able to express the countless hours put into a 15 second solo. After that experience I never questioned if I belonged to the culture. Instead I focused on the next story I would tell on stage with the music score in
As I grumbled and griped about having an honors band rehersal only hours before the concert - as i complained about the growing callus on my thumb, about the gay kid with the neckstrap who was first chair clarinet, as i lamented the fact I could NEVER play this music, that i wouldn't get any better in that small practice, so WHY bother-
Music has always been an important part of my life. Upon entering the fifth grade, my parents bought me a flute, at my insistence. After moderate success playing the flute, I saw greener grass on the other side of the musical fence. Singing just had to be easier than making music with a long metal pipe. My perception and reality did not exactly match. Singing has its own subtleties and complexities which are not readily apparent to the casual observer. Abandoning the flute for singing, I began taking voice lessons in the tenth grade. My voice teacher was very experienced and encouraged me to pursue my interest in music beyond high school. After much deliberation, I decided to major in voice during college. This path would be fraught with unforeseen difficulties and exciting challenges.
Like many other people, I play piano. I have been playing piano since I was 4 years old. Up until about 2 years ago, I have never wanted to try talking the piano test. In 6th grade, I decided that I wanted to challenge myself and take the test. I studied and prepared for the level 5 ABRSM piano test, and I passed. However, in 5th grade, I decided that I not only wanted to play piano, but I also wanted to play flute. Now, I am the first chair in the Newton Middle School Advanced Band, which, with the directing of Mr. Rick Tyree, has scored a Superior rating 10 years in a row at the SCSBOA
About a month into my senior year we had to compete in a voice contest called solo and ensemble. I hadn’t even looked at the sheet music or listened to the track I had to sing until around December. Once I finally decided to look at it, I felt overwhelmed. I didn’t know how to practice music like that on my own. The title was “I wonder as I wander” and I definitely felt like that described how I was dealing with this situation. I decided to seek help from my choir director and ended up rehearsing twice a week during my lunches. Each rehearsal was a milestone for me, I hit the high note I couldn’t and got down the rhythms and breathing. The contest got closer and the closer it got, the more I wanted to back out.
Personal Narrative- Marching Band Competition This season was only the second year that I had been in marching band, even though we did do parades in middle school. The year before, I was selected to be drum major of the upcoming marching season. I was excited to meet the challenge of getting back to the state championships. It was also nerve-racking because I felt if we didn't make it to state, it would be my fault.
The following Christmas half way through my fifth grade year, I received my first string instrument. Immediately I dropped the clarinet and fell in love with that cheap, 45 dollar, first act guitar. Everywhere I went, it followed. I was 11 at the time and that 45 dollar guitar made me feel like the hotshot of the town. Music made me happy.
Music is one of the most fantastical forms of entertainment. Its history stretches all the way from the primitive polyrhythmic drums in Africa to our modern day pop music we listen to on our phones. It has the ability to amaze us, to capture our attention and leave us in awe. It soothes the hearts of billions, and it is so deeply rooted in my life that it has touched my heart as well. Everyday I walk to the beat of the song stuck in my head and hum along to the melody. For me, to listen to music be lifted into the air by the hands of your imagination and float around for a while. You forget about your worries, your troubles and find peace within the sound. Every chapter in my life is attached with a song. Every time I listen to a certain song, thoughts of my past come flooding back
Of all the instruments laid out on display, only one caught my attention. I was thirteen at the time, and naturally, my eye was drawn to the shiniest of the group. I had never heard the sound of a flute before, aside from the cheap imitation of one on my family’s electronic keyboard. Nevertheless, I picked the pretty, gleaming, easy-to-carry flute on that first day of band class. Three years later, I can’t imagine playing anything else. What started off as blind luck and an attraction to shiny objects is now a part of my life. Playing an instrument is always a worthwhile investment; you develop a skill that many people only wish they had, you have opportunities to meet other musicians, and you may even get to travel in a band setting. But in order to reap the benefits, you first have to learn how to play.